On the nps.gov websites, under 'Plan Your Visit', there is a 'Things To Know Before You Come'. In that vein, this is 'Things To Do Before You Visit A Park - National or Otherwise' to make your visit more memorable.
The short version is:
Tip One - Get a Senior Pass;
Tip Two - Get a 'Passport To Your National Parks' Book;
Tip Three - Visit NPS Websites;
Tip Four - Locate Visitor Centers.
The long version is:
Tip One - Get a Senior Pass Or Get in the Parks Free For Life (after a $10 investment)
A few years ago, we planned a trip to Nevada to see Hoover Dam, Zion NP, etc. A friend suggested that I get a Golden Age Passport card as he had done when he was 55 years of age. The cost was a measly $10 and allowed the Passport holder and car passengers to enter for free for life every national park or federal land that charges an entrance fee. It also allowed other discounts such as for parking, some tours, etc. That was great but when I checked the age restriction had been raised to 62 and I was 61. So we paid $25 or whatever for the parks we went to until I reached 62. I expected to go to Vicksburg to the Military Park in order to get the Golden Age Passport since it was advertised that you could get one at any park that charged an entrance fee. But then I found that I could get one in Natchitoches at the visitor center for the Cane River Heritage area. So the next time I was in Natchitoches I bought one for $10 - they may or may not still sell them. I have not paid an entrance fee since 2004 - I usually donate in support of the park at the visitor center the amount I would have paid at the park entrance. But if times are hard, I can always skip the optional donation. It also should be noted that when we went to Yellowstone NP, the lines were long. But we discovered that there was a line for those with passes that by-passed the usual lanes of traffic. After showing our pass, We got a park map and literature from the person working the line on foot then zipped right on through. So having the pass before you get to the park has its advantages. Not exactly a Disney Fast Pass but felt the same.
In the last few years, I think the government wanted to make a name change that would make seniors unable to tell other seniors the name of the card so as to perhaps discourage card purchases. It is now 'America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass - Senior Pass'!!! You be the judge! I just say America the Beautiful Senior Pass or just Senior Pass. Some literature or postings or seniors like me still use the term Golden Age Passport which is why I mention it. I suggest you buy one as soon as possible since they could always raise the age to 70 or more and/or even raise the price. Be sure to check to see for sure that where you are going will sell you the Senior Pass. Remember, Social Security was set up for people to pay in but since most were supposed to be dead by 65, the system would not only be solvent, it would even make money for the government. They sure didn't expect us to live into the 80's and 90's which is a huge drain on the SS. So why don't we be patriotic and die to save SS not just pay exorbitant taxes. The same might be in the works for the Senior Pass - maybe they can raise the age to 100 to limit the ones getting in free - course they'd probably institute a wheelchair fee to offset it. Do I sound like a government fan???? Only our federal government could manage such fantastic resourses such as the national lands at a deficit. Although I have taken advantage of the program, I think that in these times a senior should have to pay, say $25, when initially getting the card then $10 a year for the remaining years. Ten dollars for life is ridiculous for the financial viability of the parks - but maybe that is just me.
Tip Two - Get a 'Passport To Your National Parks' book ($8 or so)
This is especially important for those with weak short term memories like me. This Passport is not a card for entry but rather a 4"x6" book of about 100 pages that has color codes for sections of the country - e.g., blue for Pacific Northwest or purple for the Southeast - to guide the user. The sections of the book allow for national and regional stamps to be affixed on the pages for these regions. The stamps can be bought on-line or at a visitor center. Many times in a national park like Rocky Mountain National Park, there are several visitor centers each with their own colored ink that identifies them along with the date. If you go the the right part of the counter, you can find a 'stamp' machine to mark on a page what is called a cancellation not unlike when the post office cancels a stamp that is on your letter. Some call these cancellations stamps which confuses me because I think 'licking' if you say stamp. Licking a cancellation would get ink on your tongue - not sure if a high ensues except in California where I think they voted in lacing the glue with marijuana. This means that you can date your visit to the park so that when someone asks when you went, you can pull out your Passport to tell them not only the year but the very day you were there - how impressive is that! There is also a fold-out map that identifies 300+ federal lands which include the national parks. Sometimes we use it to find places to stop while driving to a national park. I should also mention that I got an Old Spanish Trail and a Santa Fe Trail (I feel like singing) cancellations while on this past trip - the trail cancellations go in the back of the Passport.
Tip Three - NPS Websites
There is a lot of info on the National Park Service websites such as 'things to do', fees, webcams, history, lodging, weather, maps, schedule of events, road closures, road warnings, photo gallery, etc. I spend quite a bit of time on these while planning a trip. I download the maps or brochures (PDF's or JPEG's) that I think I will need. The trail info is especially beneficial if you plan to hike. One can find which trails are shared with horse/mule riders so you know which ones should be done clockwise. Note- the horse/mule tours have the right-of-way. If you are doing one of these shared trails wear high-top boots if you know what I mean. So if you have access to a computer, try it. If you are not good with computers, your grandkids could help. Please be aware that lodging in and around the parks is pricey especially around Yellowstone. There are also webcams that you can access year round. It is neat to see the snow covering the mountains that you visited in the summer. This is a way to extend the enjoyment of the park months after having left it. It is not as much fun as watching the paint dry in town, but I enjoyed watching a 10-mile long lake freeze over during the winter in Glacier NP.
Tip Four - Locate Visitor Centers
Current information as to status of roads, status of trails, weather, etc. can be found at a visitor center. Cancellations, books, stamps, etc. can also be found here. It is worth standing in line to get the advice from the park rangers. Their current info and recommendations are usually spot-on. It is also worth watching the 10 to 20-minute films that normally run about every half hour. So locate the visitor centers as you plan your trip so that you will be entering the parks where they are - there are remote entrances to the parks which are not near a visitor center.
